The time has come for me to get a car I am planing to move out of the city in 2018, last year I got my L's and took some lessons with 2018 upon us I have been looking to purchase an automatic car. I have spoken to a few people one is a friend and one is an auto mechanic.
The summation of their advice is, get a Toyota, then maybe a Subaru/Mazda/Honda, I am told its best to avoid, Holden Ford, BMW, Mercedes or other Euro cars (Even if I have fond memories of my grandfather with his two Series 2 Land Rovers in Europe, and my father who loved his Peugeots we had as children), something made after the year 2000 and that has less done less then 200,000 km. And get a 6cylinder motor for country roads.
Now my budget is limited to a max of $4000/5000 + $1000 for extra expenses:
$50 Registration transfer
$40 Car history report and PPSR check
$200 Stamp Duty.
$500 Compulsory Third Party Insurance
$XXX Road Worthy
I need a vehicle in which I can move stuff, timber & tools. I think a roof rack will take care of the timber. Also something I can take outside the city for country road trips. That I can use for light off road / unsealed roads so it can take me places where I can go bush walking.
While I would find a ute most practical, it seems that any ute under 200,000 km will cost over $5000 up to $15,000, I am told because tradies buy and sell them and they artificially inflate the price, because it's a tax right off.
A van is not really an option becuase again any van in good condition is outside of my price range. Also vans tend to be driven into the ground and worked hard being used mostly for commercial work. Also vans are not the safest crash resistant things.
So this leaves a wagon/people movers. They have the space, I would just rip out the back seats, put in a raise platform with draws underneath for storage. They are bought and sold by families and my impression of them is that they are used by large families and tend to be looked after a little better.
So my question is this: what hidden costs have I missed?
Any thoughts on the advice I have been so far?
Do you have or know anyone who may have a vehicle suitable to my needs who is looking to sell in my price range?